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Made in Fort Worth: La Pulga Spirits
Fort Worth has become home to quite a few premium spirits and liquors. Several years ago, Sarah Castillo, Andrew De La Torre, and Stephen Slaughter decided to develop a new brand of premium Mexican liquors. In the years since La Pugla debuted, their tequilas, sotol, and mezcal have engendered a loyal following. We talked with Sarah Castillo about La Pugla. [Editor’s Note: The article was edited for space in the magazine. We are running it in full here.]
Madeworthy: What inspired you to start La Pulga Spirits, and what was the moment you knew this idea had real potential?
Sarah Castillo: Having spent years in the restaurant business, I’ve been fortunate to taste a wide range of tequilas and visit distilleries across Mexico. But many of the larger brands never truly resonated with me. I was searching for something more authentic – a small-batch tequila, crafted with consistency, quality, and all-natural ingredients. That pursuit ultimately led me to cross paths with my partners, Stephen Slaughter and Andrew De La Torre, who shared the same vision to create a portfolio of exceptional Mexican spirits. That moment sparked the beginning of La Pulga.
Photo courtesy of La Pulga Spirits
MW: “La Pulga” is a distinctive name. What does it represent to you, and how does it connect to your brand’s identity?
SC: The name “La Pulga” was inspired by the liveliness and vibrancy of open-air flea markets, found throughout Mexico and here in Texas, where community, culture, and celebration come together. That spirit is exactly what drew us to the name, and it remains at the heart of everything we do. It’s the same sense of connection and shared experience captured in every bottle of our spirits.
MW: How does your heritage or personal background influence the flavors and storytelling behind La Pulga Spirits?
SC: In several meaningful ways. Mexico is part of my family’s heritage, and that’s something I carry with a deep sense of pride. It shapes not only our respect for tradition, but also our commitment to authenticity in every bottle. At the same time, my background in the hospitality industry has had an equally strong influence. Hospitality professionals are the backbone of our communities; they show up every day to create experiences and bring people together, often without much recognition. That perspective is central to how we think about La Pulga, and that’s why we call it “The Spirit We Share.” It reflects our belief that tequila should be inclusive, approachable, and rooted in connection, something that brings people together and can be enjoyed by everyone.
MW: This is our Travel issue. If you were to suggest a place of interest for a Mexican tequila expedition, where would you suggest our readers go and where should they stay?
SC: By law, tequila can only be produced in five states in Mexico, but the heart of it all is Jalisco, home to the vast majority of tequila distilleries and the birthplace of tequila itself. For anyone planning a true tequila expedition, Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, is the perfect starting point. Fortunately, it’s an easy trip from here, with multiple direct flights daily from DFW, and once you arrive, you’re stepping into one of Mexico’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities. Guadalajara offers world-class restaurants, beautiful hotels, historic architecture, and a deep connection to tequila heritage. From there, you can venture out to the Jalisco Highlands, where La Pulga Tequila is produced, or to the region’s lowlands, where the town of Tequila is located. For anyone looking to truly understand tequila, Guadalajara should be at the top of the list.
Photo courtesy of La Pulga Spirits
MW: What has been the most unexpected challenge in building your brand, and how did you navigate it?
SC: One of our challenges has been standing out in an increasingly crowded category. There’s a lot of great tequila, mezcal, and sotol out there, so from day one, we knew we had to clearly communicate what makes La Pulga different, not just in taste, but in identity and purpose. We’ve approached that by making every touchpoint of the brand tell a story. Of course, the liquid itself is exceptional — truly some of the best-tasting spirits I’ve ever experienced — but we’ve also been very intentional about how the brand comes to life visually and emotionally. Our bottles are steeped in Mexican folklore and cultural symbolism, immediately signaling where we come from and what we stand for. We even finish each bottle with a keepsake medallion around the neck, something people often hold onto long after the bottle is gone. That level of detail turns the packaging into more than just a container; it becomes a storytelling tool. By staying authentic and consistent in how we present ourselves, we’ve been able to cut through the noise and create a brand that people connect with on a deeper level.
MW: If someone is trying La Pulga Spirits for the first time, what should they start with—and how do you recommend they enjoy it?
SC: It really comes down to personal taste. If you gravitate toward clean, bright, unaged spirits, something perfect for sipping on the rocks or mixing into a great margarita, start with our La Pulga Blanco Tequila. If you prefer something a bit more rounded and expressive, La Pulga Reposado offers that balance of agave character with subtle oak influence. And for whiskey drinkers, La Pulga Añejo is a great bridge. It’s rich, smooth, and ideal for sipping neat or even in an elevated Old Fashioned. I’d also encourage people not to overlook our mezcal. It’s a very distinctive expression, less smoky than many expect, with more vegetal notes, like green pepper, that make it incredibly approachable and unique.
MW: The spirits industry has historically been male-dominated—what has your experience been as a female founder, and what changes are you seeing?
SC: While the spirits industry has historically been male-dominated, I’ve never really approached it from that lens or felt like an outsider. From the beginning, we were intentional about building a team that included strong, talented women, and that’s shaped both our culture and how we show up as a brand. What’s exciting is that we’re seeing real momentum across the industry. More women are founding, leading, and influencing spirits brands than ever before, not as a trend, but as a reflection of the talent and perspective they bring to the table. As new brands emerge, the leadership behind them is becoming more diverse, more dynamic, and more representative of the people who actually enjoy these products. There’s still progress to be made, but the shift is happening, and it’s making the industry stronger, more creative, and more inclusive.
Photo courtesy of La Pulga Spirits
MW: Where do you hope to take the brand in the next five years—are there new products, markets, or collaborations on the horizon?
SC: Over the next several years, our goal is to continue building La Pulga into a brand that thrives both at home and well beyond it. Fort Worth, and Texas as a whole, will always be at the heart of who we are, and we’re incredibly proud of that foundation. At the same time, the past couple of years have been focused on expanding beyond Texas, and it’s been exciting to see how the brand resonates in new markets. Looking ahead, we plan to continue that momentum, thoughtfully growing distribution and bringing La Pulga to more consumers across the country. We’re also exploring opportunities to expand the portfolio in ways that stay true to our commitment to quality, authenticity, and storytelling. And yes, collaborations are definitely part of the future. We’re always looking for like-minded partners who share our values and can help us create something unique, so there’s more to come on that front!
MW: The sub-theme of this issue is “Happy Place”. Tell us where your Happy Place is and why.
SC: That one’s easy. My “Happy Place” isn’t tied to a specific location; it’s a moment. It’s wherever I’m gathered with friends and family, sharing a bottle of La Pulga (that’s why we affectionately call it “The Spirit We Share”). That’s what truly defines my Happy Place: being present with the people who matter most, creating memories together, one pour at a time.
